Okay, when you ask if the resorts are "close" to the parks ...
If you have a rental car -- no big deal.
Otherwise, you will need to take a bus to any of the parks from the Values and the Moderates + AKL.
Poly, GF, Contemporary, WL and Ft Wilderness are all connected to the MK via boat or Monorail.
From the Poly, GF, Contemporary you are also (somewhat) connected to Epcot by monorail (via the TTC).
Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, Y/B Club you are connected to the Studios & Epcot via walkway or boat.
Otherwise you are on the bus. A longish bus ride is not the issue, but "waiting for the bus to come" and/or load is the issue (IMHO).
So "close" has different definitions in regard to resorts and their proximity to the parks.
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Comment on the pools. Unless you are going to spend a lot of time at your resort and doing more than getting wet and splashing around for 30 minutes, you and your family won't really miss a slide. All the pools are themed and quite unique (e.g. ASMu has a pool shaped like a grand piano, complete with tiles that look like piano keys). Most people who want the whole water park experience plan to go to TL and/or BB during their visit and spend most of a day there.
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First timers to WDW probably will spend most of their time at the parks or going places. I'd save the $$ and stay at a value resort for the first visit at least.
If you have a rental car -- no big deal.
Otherwise, you will need to take a bus to any of the parks from the Values and the Moderates + AKL.
Poly, GF, Contemporary, WL and Ft Wilderness are all connected to the MK via boat or Monorail.
From the Poly, GF, Contemporary you are also (somewhat) connected to Epcot by monorail (via the TTC).
Swan/Dolphin, Boardwalk, Y/B Club you are connected to the Studios & Epcot via walkway or boat.
Otherwise you are on the bus. A longish bus ride is not the issue, but "waiting for the bus to come" and/or load is the issue (IMHO).
So "close" has different definitions in regard to resorts and their proximity to the parks.
-------
Comment on the pools. Unless you are going to spend a lot of time at your resort and doing more than getting wet and splashing around for 30 minutes, you and your family won't really miss a slide. All the pools are themed and quite unique (e.g. ASMu has a pool shaped like a grand piano, complete with tiles that look like piano keys). Most people who want the whole water park experience plan to go to TL and/or BB during their visit and spend most of a day there.
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First timers to WDW probably will spend most of their time at the parks or going places. I'd save the $$ and stay at a value resort for the first visit at least.
